Image credit:
(Photo Courtesy of Wilson)
Wilson says a trio of winter glove releases from pro players come with plenty of style, as the collaborations with Juan Soto, Bobby Witt Jr. and Gunnar Henderson each have a touch of flair. The game model gloves from the three MLB players offer a fresh perspective for winter, designed based on the distinct preferences of each player and then styled up with their unique approach to glove aesthetics.
Juan Soto & Smooth Blueberry
The Juan Soto A2K (JS22 GM 12.75-inchOutfield Baseball Glove) takes a colorful turn with the release of the new “Blueberry†colorway. Sotoâ€s glove of choice, a 12.75-inch outfield design with a classic dual post web, now features the brandâ€s buffed blue Pro Stock Select leather.
“Juan came to do his glove design with us for this year and wanted to do something fun,†said Ryan Smith, Wilsonâ€s product line manager for gloves. “He saw our buffed blueberry leather, and it really caught his eye. He wanted that on his game model, so we made it happen.â€
Aaron Gillette, marketing director for Wilson Baseball, said that Soto stops by the offices each year when playing in Chicago to go over the latest in function and design.
“On his last visit, he immediately gravitated to our buffed leather for both the feel and look,†Gillette said, “and went to work on designing an eye-catching glove he knew his fans would love.â€
Bobby Witt Jr. Debuts Official Game Model
For Wilsonâ€s first game model glove for Bobby Witt Jr., the BWJ7, the Kansas City shortstop opted to design an 11.75-inch glove on the A2000 1724 pattern with H-Web. He combined the classic blonde Pro Stock leather with a royal blue and yellow camo SuperSnakeSkin on the index finger panel.
Wilson says the glove is engineered for quick-transfer moments and has a modified wrist strap for an ultra-snug, controllable fit Witt Jr. loves when he shifts his fingers in the pinky stall.
“Bobby was one of the first guys to adopt our 1724 glove pattern,†Smith said. “The 1724 is developed for a two-in-the-pinky finger shift. The contoured wrist strap makes it more comfortable, which Bobby likes.â€
The shortstop has used the 1724 pattern for his past two Gold Glove seasons.
Witt Jr. knows his glove history.
“When designing gloves, he often references his favorite gloves from growing up from our Limited Editions, Glove of the Month program and more,” Gillette said. “And we were so thrilled to bring his first game model to life with him.”
Gunnar Henderson Goes Camo
Get ready for an outdoorsy look from the latest design for Gunnar Hendersonâ€s GH2 2000. The Henderson game model is an 11.75-inch infield glove inspired by the EL3 pattern and uses Coal Pro Stock leather and a focused single-post web. It also features Realtreeâ€s proprietary, original camo design on SuperSnakeSkin with high-visibility orange laces to give the glove a true outdoor vibe.
“I love when guys come in with a vision for their glove,†Smith said. “Gunnar really wanted to incorporate Realtree camo, so I reached out to them, and they were super excited Gunnar wanted to use their design on his glove. They have been awesome to work with. Gunnar is a great guy, so we had a lot of fun bringing this glove to life. Plus, it was cool to try something new with a brand we havenâ€t worked with before.â€
Tim Newcomb covers gear and business for Baseball America.
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